REVITALIZING OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS AT CHILD CARE CENTERS

Abstract

This study explores the impact of landscape interventions on children's play and development in early childhood education centers in Vancouver, Canada. Led by Susan Herrington at Rewilding Play: Kids in the Park Studio, my classmates and I, graduate students from the University of British Columbia (UBC), implemented interventions. We utilized natural materials and planting to enhance physical and cognitive development, encourage imaginative play, and introduce challenges in play spaces, employing the 7Cs framework. The initiative aims to reintroduce nature play, aligning with the ecological concept of rewilding. Findings highlight the positive impact of diverse play elements, such as sand, water, and vegetation, on children's development. The studio project advocates for rewilding play spaces, fostering connections between children and nature, and promoting holistic growth by challenging them with varied and manipulable materials, catering to infants/toddlers to 5-year-olds. The Enchanted Oaks Child Care Center project site at Hastings Park was selected by Vancouver Social Policy and Projects and Vancouver Parks and Recreation staff.